Pushbutton switch with separable switch units

ABSTRACT

A control switch characterized by a plurality of separable switch units, the switch units being stacked in end-to-end abutment and having side walls facing a uniform direction, each switch unit comprising at least one set of stationary contacts and cooperable movable contacts, movable contact operating means for each unit and including a guided plunger, the plungers of the switch units being aligned and movable in unison, pushbutton switch means disposed at one end of the stacked switch units to effect movement of the plungers, first conductor means leading from each set of stationary contacts and comprising terminals at said side walls, a terminal strip of electrically insulating material extending along said side walls and having second conductor means comprising a separate terminal receptacle for each terminal, the terminal strip being coextensive with the stacked switch units, and the second conductor means comprising terminal connectors at the end of the strip remote from the pushbutton switch means.

United States Patent [191 Frank et al.

[ PUSHBU'I'ION SWITCH WITH SEPARABLE SWITCH UNITS [75] Inventors: Stanley L. FrankjStephen S.

Dobrosielski, both of Beaver, Pa.

[73] Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation,

Pittsburgh, Pa.

[22] Filed: May 15, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 470,106

[52] US. Cl 200/307; 339/198 [51] Int. Cl. HOIH 9/00 [58] Field of Search 200/307, 16 A, 14, 293;

317/112, 118; 339/18 R, 18 B, 18 C, 18 P,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,988,607 6/1961 Tabet 200/14 X 3,018,338 1/1962 Mullen et al 200/16 A 3,454,736 7/1969 Bogl 200/307 3,514,554 5/1970 Boysen 200/16 A Primary ExaminerJames R. Scott Assistant Examiner-William J. Smith Attorney, Agent, or Firm-L. P. Johns Dec.9, 1975 [57] ABSTRACT A control switch characterized by a plurality of separable switch units, the switch units being stacked in end-to-end abutment 'and having side walls facing a uniform direction, each switch unit comprising at least one set of stationary contacts and cooperable movable contacts, movable contact operating means for each unit and including a guided plunger, the plungers of .the switch units being aligned and movable in unison,

pushbutton switch means disposed at one end of the stacked switch units to effect movement of the plungers, first .conductor means leading from each set of stationary contacts and comprising terminals at said side walls, a terminal strip of electrically insulating material extending along said side walls and having second conductor means comprising a separate terminal receptacle for each terminal, the terminal strip being coextensive with the stacked switch units, and the second conductor means comprising terminal connectors at the end of the strip remote from the pushbutton switch means.

6 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec. 9, 1975 Sheet 1 of 2 3,925,632

FIG. I.

PUSHBUTTON SWITCH WITH SEPARABLE SWITCH UNITS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to electric switches, and more particularly to such switches as are commonly employed in circuits for controlling electrical apparatus. I

2. Description of the Prior Art:

Electric switches of the type described generally include pushbutton switches. Such switches are generally disclosed in U.S.'Pat. Nos. 2,748,205; 2,748,210; and 3,018,338. Those patents generally disclose tandem contact blocks stacked together for simultaneous operation by a pushbuttom operator switch. A difficulty with such an assembly of stacked contact blocks has been manual access to the terminals of each block due to their close proximity..The difficulty is particularly onerous where a plurality of assemblies of contact blocks and pushbutton operator switches are mounted on a controlpanelin close proximity to each other such as on 2% inchescenters. Heretofore no system for bussing the circuits from the terminal connections of each block to the rear end of the assembly of blocks has been known.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It has been found in accordance with this invention that the foregoing problem may be overcome by providing a switch adapted to be mounted in an opening through a support panel, comprising an operating unit extending through the support opening and having mounting means for holding the operating unit in place, a switch operating member movably mounted in the operating unit, a plurality of separable, stacked switch units having cooperating sets of contacts, the units having side walls facing a uniform direction, contact mounting means for each switch unit and comprising a guided plunger, the plungers of the switch units being aligned and movable in unison, the switch operating member being disposed at one end of the stacked units to effect movement of the plungers, first conductor means leading from the cooperating contacts of each unit and comprising terminals at said side walls, a terminal strip of electrically insulating material extending along said side walls and having second conductor means comprising a separate terminal receptacle for each terminal, the terminal strip having longitudinaland transverse portions, the longitudinal portion overlying said side walls and the transverse portion overlying the end of the stacked switch units remote from the switch operating member, second conductor means in the strip and comprising a second terminal receptacle for each terminal and the second conductor means comprising terminal connectors at the end of the strip remote from the switch operating member.

The advantage of the switch of this invention is that it not only provides for accessibility for installation and maintenance, but also eliminates the need for mounting hardware.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OFTHE DRAWINGS FIG. I is an elevational view of one type of panelon accordance with this invention;

which a plurality. of pushbutton switches are disposed;

FIG. 2 is a plan view partly in section of a control switch assembly in accordance with this invention;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are fragmentary isometric views of other embodiments of the terminal receptacle shown in .FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary isometric view of another embodiment of the end portion of the terminal strip; and

FIG. 7 is a wiring diagram.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIG. 1 a plurality of spaced pushbutton switches 10 are disposed on a support panel 12. Generally, the spacing between the centers of the several switches 10 is approximately 2%inches. As shown more particularly in FIG. 2 each switch 10 is associated with a plurality, such as three, contact blocks or switch units l4, l6, 18 which are stacked together in end-to-end abutment with similar side walls 20 in alignment. Similarly, identical contact blocks or switch units 22, 24, 26 are provided in back-to-back relationship with the switch units 14, 16, 18, respectively. I

In accordance with this invention a terminalstrip 28 is provided for the switch units l4, l6, l8 and extends along the side walls 20. Likewise, a terminal strip 30 is provided for the stacked switch units 22, 24, and 26.

The pushbutton switch 10 is a conventional pushbutton switch of the type shown in US. Pat. No. 2,722,573. Generally, the switch comprises an operating button 32 which is contained within a sleeve 34 and biased outwardly by a spring 36. The sleeve 34 extends through an opening 38 in the panel 12 and the sleeve includes a flange 40 which engages the inner side of the panel 12 where it is retained in place by a clamping ring 42 which threadedly engages the outer surface of the sleeve 34. A shaft 44 extends inwardly from the operating button 32 and is provided with an operating disc 46. The purpose of the pushbutton switch 10 is to move plungers 48 and 50 which extend from the nearest switch units 14 and 22.

Inasmuch as all of the switch units 14, I6, 18, 22, 24, 26 are of similar construction, only the unit 14 is de scribed. The switch unit 14 comprises a housing composed of molded electrically insulating material and contains a pair of stationary contacts 52 and 54 within a chamber enclosed by the housing. The contacts 52 and 54 are mounted on conductors 56 and 58, respectively, and each of which includes a terminal 60 and 62 extending from the side wall 20. Movable contacts 64 and 66 are mounted on a contact carrier 68 which in turn is carried by the elongated plunger 48 having an end portion 48a which is contiguous to the end portion of a corresponding plunger 70 for the switch unit 16.

Similarly, the plunger 70 is in end abutment with a plunger 72 of the switch unit 18. Thus, the plungers 48, 70, and 72 are aligned and operation of the pushbutton switch 10 operates all of the switch units 14, 16 and 18. The switch units 22, 24, 26. are similarly operated through the initial plunger 50 of the unit 22. As shown in FIG. 2, t he plungers 48, 70, 72 are biased outwardly so that the movable contact 64 and corresponding movable contacts for each switch unit 16 and 18 are in normally closed positions with corresponding stationary contacts 54. Operation of the plungers 48, 70, 72 closes the movable contacts such as the movable contact 64 through the stationary contacts 52.

As indicated above, in accordance with this invention each of the switch units 14, l6, 18 include terminals similar to the terminals 60, 62 for the unit 14 which extend from the side walls 20. The terminal strip 28 comprises terminal receptacles or sockets 74 into which the terminals 60 and 62 for each switch unit 14, l6, l8. Inasmuch as there are two normally open stationary contacts 52 as well as two normally closed stationary contacts 54 (similar to those shown in US. Pat. No. 2,722,573), there are corresponding pairs of terminals 60 and 62 for each of the switch units 14, 16, 18. Each terminal receptacle or socket 74 includes a conductor 76 which extends toward the end of the terminal strip 28 remote from the pushbutton switch 10. All of the conductors 76 for each terminal receptacle 74 communicate with a corresponding terminal connector or screw 78. The circuit diagram in FIG. 7 shows more clearly the manner in which each terminal receptacle 74 is connected by a corresponding conductor 76 to a specific terminal connector 78. The terminal strip 28 is composed of a molded electrically insulating material and the conductors 76 are embedded therein.

The terminal strip 28 comprises a longitudinal portion 28a and a transverse portion 28b which are preferably integral. As shown in FIG. 2, the longitudinal portion 28a is coextensive with the several switch units 14, 16, 18 and the transverse portion 28b extends across the rear end portion of the switch unit 18 which is remote from the panel 12 or the pushbutton switch 10. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 2, the terminal connectors or screws 78 are readily accessible for installation and maintenance.

Another embodiment of the terminal receptacles or sockets is shown in FIG. 4 in which a pair of spring contacts 80 are provided for a terminal corresponding to the terminal 60 of FIG. 2, but which terminal is inclined at an angle corresponding to that of the spring contacts 80. Thus, the spring contacts 80 and their corresponding terminals are held in pressure contact with each other.

Another embodiment of the terminal receptacles is shown in FIG. 5 in which a pair of receptacles 82 is provided for each stationary contact 52, 54 on the side of the terminal strip 28 facing the side walls of the switch units l4, l6, 18. Thus, as the terminal strip 26 is moved transversely into contact with the terminals projecting from the side walls 20 the terminal receptacles 82 engage the same for good electrical contact.

Another embodiment of the terminal strip is that shown in FIG. 6. Like the terminal strip 28 it includes a longitudinal portion 28a as well as transverse portion 28b. However, the end surface differs from that of the terminal strip shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 in that the terminal strip in FIG. 6 has a stepped end surface in which pairs of terminal connectors 84 are disposed at different levels. Thus, the pair of terminals 84a is on a different level than that of the pair 84b and 0. Moreover, the terminal connectors 84 are connected to the normally open terminal connectors 74 (FIG. 7). Another group of terminal connectors 86, which are similarly grouped into pairs 860, b, c are provided for the normally closed terminal receptacles and are provided at different stepped levels similar to the terminal connectors 84. Moreover, each terminal connector 84a, 12, c, and 86a, b, c is partially contained within separators or wall means such as flange members 88, 90, 92 by which the lead wires connected to said terminal connectors are relatively isolated from adjacent terminal connectors.

4 The members 84, 90, 92 are preferably integral portions of the terminal strip 28.

Accordingly, the switch device of this invention provides for terminal board wiring at the rear of a multiple assembly of stacked pushbutton contact blocks, thereby facilitating initial wiring and subsequent maintenance procedures as well as preventing inadvertent short circuits and the like from occurring between the lead wires connected to the device.

What is claimed is:

l. A switch comprising a plurality of separable switch units, the switch units being stacked in end-to-end abutment and having side walls facing a uniform direc tion, each unit comprising at least one set of stationary contacts and cooperable movable contacts, movable contact operating means for each unit and including a guided plunger, the plungers of the switch units being movable in unison, pushbutton switch means disposed at one end of the stacked switch units to effect movement of the plungers, first conductor means leading from each set of stationary contacts and comprising terminals at said side walls, a terminal strip of electrically insulating material extending along said side walls and having second conductor means comprising a separate terminal receptacle for each terminal, the terminal strip being coextensive with the stacked switch units, the second conductor means comprising terminal connectors at the end of the strip remote from the pushbutton switch means, the second conductor means also comprising conductors in the strip and extending from the terminal receptacles tothe terminal connectors, the terminal strip comprising a longitudinal portion and a transverse portion, the longitudinal portion extending adjacent to said side walls, and the transverse portion extending across the end of the switch unit remote from the pushbutton switch means.

2. The switch of claim 1 in which the terminal connectors are located on the side of the transverse portion remote from the switch unit.

3. The switch of claim 2 in which the terminal connectors are disposed in groups at different levels on said side of the transverse portion.

4. The switch of claim 2 in which said side of the transverse portion is stepped to provide a plurality of levels on which the terminal connectors are disposed.

5. A switch adapted to be mounted in an opening through a support, comprising an operating unit including a sleeve member adapted to extend through the support opening and having a flange at one end adapted to engage the inner side of said support, a clamping ring threaded on said sleeve to engage the outer side of said support when drawn tight to secure said sleeve member in said opening, a switch operating member movably mounted in said sleeve, a plurality of separable, stacked switch units having cooperating sets of contacts, the units having side walls facing a uniform direction, contact mounting means for each switch unit and comprising a guided plunger, the plungers of the switch units being movable in unison, the switchoperating member being disposed at one end of the stacked units to effect movement of the plungers, first conductor means leading from the cooperable contacts of each unit and comprising terminals at said side walls, a terminal strip of electrically insulating material extending along said side walls and having second conductor means comprising a separate terminal receptacle for each terminal, the terminal strip having longitudinal and transverse portions, the longitudinal portion 6 overlying said side walls and the transverse portion Th i h f l i i hi h th urface of the overlying end of h Stacked Switch units remote transverse portion remote from the stacked switch from the Swltch Operatmg member Second Conductor units is stripped to include at least two unaligned surmeans in the strip and comprising a second terminal receptacle for each terminal and the second conductor 5 faces and the termmal bemg dlsposed on means comprising terminal connectors at the end of the Said unaligned Surfacesstrip remote from the switch operating member. 

1. A switch comprising a plurality of separable switch units, the switch units being stacked in end-to-end abutment and having side walls facing a uniform direction, each unit comprising at least one set of stationary contacts and cooperable movable contacts, movable contact operating means for each unit and including a guided plunger, the plungers of the switch units being movable in unison, pushbutton switch means disposed at one end of the stacked switch units to effect movement of the plungers, first conductor means leading from each set of stationary contacts and comprising terminals at said side walls, a terminal strip of electrically insulating material extending along said side walls and having second conductor means comprising a separate terminal receptacle for each terminal, the terminal strip being coextensive with the stacked switch units, the second conductor means comprising terminal connectors at the end of the strip remote from the pushbutton switch means, the second conductor means also comprising conductors in the strip and extending from the terminal receptacles to the terminal connectors, the terminal strip comprising a longitudinal portion and a transverse portion, the longitudinal portion extending adjacent to said side walls, and the transverse portion extending across the end of the switch unit remote from the pushbutton switch means.
 2. The switch of claim 1 in which the terminal connectors are located on the side of the transverse portion remote from the switch unit.
 3. The switch of claim 2 in which the terminal connectors are disposed in groups at different levels on said side of the transverse portion.
 4. The switch of claim 2 in which said side of the transverse portion is stepped to provide a plurality of levels on which the terminal connectors are disposed.
 5. A switch adapted to be mounted in an opening through a support, comprising an operating unit including a sleeve member adapted to extend through the support opening and having a flange at one end adapted to engage the inner side of said support, a clamping ring threaded on said sleeve to engage the outer side of said support when drawn tight to secure said sleeve member in said opening, a switch operating member movably mounted in said sleeve, a plurality of separable, stacked switch units having cooperating sets of contacts, the units having side walls facing a uniform direction, contact mounting means for each switch unit and comprising a guided plunger, the plungers of the switch units being movable in unison, the switch-operating member being disposed at one end of the stacked units to effect movement of the plungers, first conductor means leading from the cooperable contacts of each unit and comprising terminals at said side walls, a terminal strip of electrically insulating material extending along said side walls and having second conductor means comprising a separate terminal receptacle for each terminal, the terminal strip having longitudinal and transverse portions, the longitudinal portion overlying said side walls and the transverse portion overlying the end of the stacked switch units remote from the switch operating member, second conductor means in the strip and comprising a second terminal receptacle for each terminal and the second conductor means comprising terminal connectors at the end of the strip remote from the switch operating member.
 6. The switch of claim 5 in which the surface of the transverse portion remote from the stacked switch units is stripped to include at least two unaligned surfaces, and the terminal connectors being disposed on said unaligned surfaces. 